Front and rear ground sensing for header pitch control

ABSTRACT

A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ram connects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvesting header on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitch angle. A hydraulic supply provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram. Front and rear ground sensors provide an output that is used to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvesting header relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative the feederhouse interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/580,712 filed Dec. 28, 2011, entitled “FRONT AND REAR GROUND SENSINGFOR HEADER PITCH CONTROL”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a harvesting header for a combine harvester,and more particularly, to a header that is pivotable on the feederhouseinterface of the combine harvester.

2. Description of Related Art

Agricultural harvesters such as combines are typically equipped with aharvesting header. For example, corn headers are specifically designedto pick corn and vary in size from two-row units to twelve-row units ormore. As the harvester moves through the field, each row-unit passesbetween rows of corn. Corn header row units typically use gatheringchains to covey crop material and ears rearward toward a cross auger. Aset of driven snap rolls, which rotate based on the speed of theharvester, grabs the corn stalks and forces them downward betweenstripper plates. The ears of corn are snapped free of the stalk and thecross auger passes the ears to the feeder housing of the harvester.

The height of the harvesting header typically may be adjusted bypivoting or rotating the feederhouse upwardly and downwardly about arotational axis adjacent a rearward end thereof. However, corn headersare typically fixed on the feederhouse at a selected fore and aft angle.It would also be desirable to adjust the fore/aft pitch of the header onthe feederhouse to optimize crop cutting and feeding into the combine.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is directed a harvesting header andfeederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine. The harvestingheader has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouseand a header frame providing structural support for the harvestingheader. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first andsecond vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams.Pivotable connections between the feederhouse interface and the verticalmain structures of the header frame enable the header frame to pivotwith respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ramconnects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivotthe harvesting header on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitchangle. A hydraulic supply provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the atleast one hydraulic ram. A front ground sensor is positioned near aleading portion of the header frame and a rear ground sensor ispositioned near the rear of the header frame. The front and rear groundsensors provide an output that is used to control the hydraulic supplyto select the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the at leastone hydraulic ram to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvestingheader relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative thefeederhouse interface.

These and other features and advantages of this invention are describedin, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of variousexemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of this invention will becomemore apparent and the invention itself will be better understood byreference to the following description of embodiments of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a harvester header for use with aharvesting machine;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portion of the harvesting headerof FIG. 1 with parts broken away to reveal internal details of theheader frame;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the harvesting headerof FIG. 1 with parts broken away to reveal internal details of theheader frame;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of theharvesting header of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the underside of theharvesting header of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a hydraulic circuit of the harvestingheader of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms. While the drawings illustrate and the specification describescertain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understoodthat such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent tolimit the principles of the present invention to the particulardisclosed embodiments. References hereinafter made to certaindirections, such as, for example, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right”,are made as viewed from the side of the combine.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a harvestingheader for use with an agricultural combine harvester (not shown) isseen generally at 10. As is known in the art, the harvesting header 10is mounted in a cantilevered manner on a feederhouse 12 (FIG. 2) of thecombine harvester at a center area 14 of the harvesting header 10. Theillustrated harvesting header 10 shown herein is a corn header designedto harvest multiple rows of corn simultaneously. However, one skilled inthe art will understand that harvesting headers 10 for use in harvestingother crops may utilize concepts described herein without departing fromthe scope of the invention. As is known in the art, the height of theharvesting header 10 may be adjusted by pivoting or rotating thefeederhouse 12 upwardly and downwardly about a rotational axis adjacenta rearward end thereof. Accordingly, the front end of the feederhouse 12moves along an arc as the feederhouse 12 is rotated about the rearwardaxis. The feederhouse 12 is supportable in any suitable manner known inthe art, such as using one or more fluid cylinders (not shown)extendable and retractable for pivotally rotating feederhouse 12 aboutits axis for raising and lowering the harvesting header 10.

Row units 20 that may be of conventional construction are arranged inside-by-side relationship on the harvesting header 10. Although sixteenrow units 20 are shown here, the harvesting header 10 may have anynumber of such units, in side-by-side relationship, across its width.Each row unit 20 is desirably constructed and operated in asubstantially identical manner through any known means. The row units 20may have a removable snout or divider 22 hingedly coupled to the frontof each of the row units 20. As is known in the art, corn stalks aredrawn into slots 24 formed by the row units 20, such as with gatheringchains (not shown). Snapping rolls (not shown) pull the corn stalksdownwardly through the slot 24 and the ears of corn are stripped off ofthe stalks as the stalks are pulled downwardly between them. Ears ofcorn are stripped from each of the stalks and carried by an auger 26 ina trough 28 toward the feederhouse 12. The collected ears are thencarried rearwardly and upwardly into a threshing assembly (not shown) ofthe combine harvester as known in the art.

Turning also now to FIG. 2, the row units 20 are mounted on a tool bar30 that extends transversely across the width of the header 10. Thegathering chains and snapping rolls are driven by a rotating row unitshaft 32 which extends transversely of the units over the width of theharvesting header 10. The row unit shaft 32 is drivingly connected toeach row unit 20 through any known gear box assembly (not shown). Therow unit shaft 32 is driven by a power take-off (PTO) shaft 34 through aheader drive system 36. In one embodiment, the header drive system 36includes a pair of substantially identical drive assemblies 38. Eachdrive assembly 38 includes a cog belt (not shown) housed in a belt case40 to transfer power from PTO shafts 34 extending from opposing sides ofthe feederhouse 12 to the row unit shaft 32. However, one skilled in theart will understand that the header drive system 36 may utilize anyother chain or gearbox assembly without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the harvesting header 10 has a headerframe 42 with a top beam 44 which extends across an upper-rear portionof the harvesting header 10. The top beam 44 has ends 46 and 47 arrangedat opposite ends of the harvesting header 10 such that the top beam 44extends substantially the full width of the harvesting header 10. Thetop beam 44 provides the main structural support for the header frame 42and desirably is a round tube that provides suitable resistance totorque. The header frame 42 further includes end panels 48 attached tothe ends 46 and 47 of the top beam 44. Desirably, the top beam 44 iswelded to gussets 52 on the end panels 48 using sound engineeringjudgment. The end panels 48 provide support for the tool bar 30 whichextends parallel to and spaced forwardly of the top beam 44. End panels48 also provide rotational support for the row unit shaft 32 withbearings 50.

The header frame 42 also has a bottom beam 54 extending across a portionof the width of the header that is generally parallel to and below thetop beam 44. Desirably, the bottom beam 54 also is a round tube thatprovides suitable resistance to torque. The bottom beam 54 has amidpoint generally in the center area 14 of the harvesting header 10.Desirably, the bottom beam 54 does not extend the full width of theharvesting header 10 and the top beam 44 and bottom beam 54 arecontinuous through the center area 14. However, one skilled in the artwill understand that other structure for the header frame 42 may be usedusing sound engineering judgment without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The header frame also has a pair of vertical main structures 56 that inthe illustrated embodiment connect the top beam 44 and the bottom beam54 and form the center area 14 where the feederhouse 80 connects to theharvesting header 10. The vertical main structures 56 pivotably connectthe harvesting header 10 with the feederhouse 12. Desirably, the header10 pivotally connects to the feederhouse 12 of the harvesting combinewith mounts 57 on the vertical main structures 56. According to theinvention, the top beam 44 and bottom beam 54 are continuous through thecenter area 14 of the harvesting header 10. By continuous through thecenter area 14, it is meant that the top beam 44 and the bottom beam 54are continuous members that extend through the center area 14 and out atleast partially towards the end panels 48 of the header frame 42.

Desirably, one vertical main structure 56 is attached to the bottom beam54 a distance away from the midpoint of the bottom beam 54 toward afirst end 58 of the bottom beam 54, and the second vertical mainstructure 56 is attached to the bottom beam 54 a substantially equaldistance from the midpoint but toward an opposing end 59 of the bottombeam 54. Desirably, the bottom beam 54 has a width that is between about25 percent to about 75 percent of the width of the harvesting header 10.In one embodiment, ends 58, 59 of the bottom beam 54 extend past thevertical main structures 56 and header drive assemblies 38 are arrangedat opposite ends 58 of the bottom beam 54. Likewise, the first verticalmain structure 54 is attached to the top beam 44 a distance away fromthe midpoint of the top beam 44 toward the end 46 of the top beam 44,and the second vertical main structure 56 is attached to the top beam 44the same distance from the midpoint of the top beam 44 but toward theopposing end 47 of the top beam 44. Suitable gusset plates 60 are usedin welding the vertical main structures 56 to the top beam 44 and bottombeam 54. Connecting plates 62 extend from the vertical main structures56 and support the tool bar 30.

Diagonal truss members 70 connect the top beam 44 and the bottom beam54. In the illustrated embodiment, diagonal truss members 70 connect theouter ends 46. 47 of the top beam 44 with the bottom beam 54. In oneembodiment, outer ends of the diagonal truss members 70 are structurallyconnected to respective ends of the top beam 44, and inner ends of thediagonal truss members 70 are structurally connected adjacent respectiveinterfaces of the bottom beam 54 and the vertical main structures 56. By“structurally connected”, it is meant that the diagonal truss members 70are joined either directly or indirectly with suitable gusset platesusing sound engineering judgment. Desirably, the components are weldedtogether using suitable gusset plates. The header frame 42 furthercomprises two inner support plates 72, each of which is attached to adiagonal truss member 70 so as to be supported thereby. Each of theinner support plates 72 supports the tool bar 30.

According to the invention, the header frame 42 of the harvesting header10 is pivotably connected to a feederhouse interface 80 located at afront end of the feederhouse 12. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the header frame 42mounted to the feederhouse interface 80 with the remainder of thefeederhouse 12 removed for clarity. In one embodiment, the feederhouseinterface 80 has an interface plate 82 with mounting flanges 84 at itsouter sides. The interface plate 82 can be mounted to the forwardportion of the feederhouse 12 using any known means using soundengineering judgment. Desirably, the mounting flanges 84 extendrearwardly from the interface plate 82 and are positioned such that theyfit inside and adjacent the vertical main structures 56 of the headerframe 42. In the illustrated embodiment, each vertical main structure 56attaches its adjacent mounting flange 84 with a pivotable connection 88.In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable connection 88 includes apivot pin 90 disposed in a first cylindrical bore 92 passing through themounting flange 84 and a second cylindrical bore 94 passing through thevertical main section 56. Desirably, suitable bushings 96 are receivedin the first and second bores 92, 94. In the illustrated embodiment,brackets 98 fixedly disposed on the vertical main sections 56 are usedto fix outer ends of the pivot pins 90 to the vertical main sections 56,while the pivot pins 90 are free to rotate with respect to the mountingflanges 84 so that pivotable movement of the header frame 42 on thefeederhouse interface 80 may be obtained. Alternately, the pivot pins 90may be fixedly disposed with respect to the mounting flanges 84 whilebeing free to rotate with respect to the vertical main sections 56.Additionally, one skilled in the art will understand that the headerframe 42 may be pivotably coupled to the feederhouse interface 80 inother manners using sound engineering judgment.

Turning now to FIG. 5, at least one hydraulic ram 100 connects betweenthe feederhouse interface 80 and the header frame 42 to control pivotingmotion of the harvesting header 10 on the feederhouse 12. In theillustrated embodiment, two hydraulic rams 100 connect between theheader frame 42 and the feederhouse interface 80. In the illustratedembodiment, one end 102 of the hydraulic ram 100 is connected to afeederhouse bracket 104 mounted on a lower section 106 of the interfaceplate 82 and the opposing end 108 of the hydraulic ram 100 is attachedto a header bracket 110 mounted on the toolbar 30. However, one skilledin the art will understand that the hydraulic rams 100 may connectbetween other portions of the feederhouse interface 80 and otherportions of the header frame 42 to cause pivoting motion about thepivotable connection 88 without departing from the scope of theinvention. Desirably, the hydraulic rams 100 are hydraulically operatedone-way rams in which the extension of the ram is controlled by thepressure of the hydraulic fluid ported to the body of the ram 100. Thehydraulic rams may be of conventional design well understood by thoseskilled in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates of a hydraulic circuit 111 associated with thehydraulic rams 100. The hydraulic circuit 111 includes a hydraulicsupply 112 that may include one or more hydraulic pumps used to controlthe pressure of hydraulic fluid and hydraulic supply lines 114 that portthe hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic rams 100. As hydraulic pressure isincreased, the ram 100 extends and the harvesting header 10 pivotsrelative the feederhouse interface 80 about the pivotable connections88. The operator may change the angle of the harvesting header 10 withrespect to the feederhouse 12 and the ground by controlling thehydraulic supply 112. Desirably, the hydraulic supply 112 may beselectively controlled from the cab of the combine during operationsbased on the conditions encountered by the combine.

The hydraulic circuit 111 also includes an accumulator 120 locatedbetween the hydraulic supply 112 and the hydraulic rams 100. As theharvesting header 10 operates close to the ground, the harvesting header10 may strike uneven terrain that would cause the header 10 to bounceagainst the force of the hydraulic rams 100. The accumulator 120 lessensthe shock and stresses caused by such impact by allowing the headerframe 42 to be cushioned. As is known in the art, the accumulator 120may use a compressed gas, spring or other energy storing means to absorbthe shock and a piston, bladder, or diaphragm to separate the energystoring means from the hydraulic fluid. Desirably, an isolation valve122 is located so at to provide the option of isolating the accumulator120 from the remaining portions of the hydraulic circuit 111.

Returning to FIG. 1, the harvesting header also includes a front groundsensor 130 near a leading tip of at least one of the snouts 22 and arear ground sensor 132 located near the rear of the header 10. Multiplefront and rear ground sensors 130, 132 may be used along the length ofthe header 10. Conventional ground sensors known to those skilled in theart may be used for the front and rear ground sensors 130, 132, andadditional detail for such sensors need not be included herein. A headercontrol system 136 shown schematically in FIG. 1 receives a signal fromthe front ground sensor 130 and the rear ground sensor 132 and providesfeedback to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the header 10. Theheader control system 136 is operable to sense movement of the header 10as the header 10 moves over uneven terrain and provides an output signalto the hydraulic supply 112. As described above, the hydraulic supply112 controls the positions of the hydraulic rams 100 and thus the pivotposition of the header frame 42 with respect to the feederhouseinterface for controlling the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvestingheader 10 relative the ground for optimal cutting performance.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspectsand features of the present invention. These should be construed to bemerely illustrative of some of the more prominent features andapplications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtainedby applying the disclosed information in a different manner or bymodifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and amore comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained byreferring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scopeof the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A harvesting header and feederhouse for use witha crop harvesting machine, the header and feederhouse comprising: afeederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse; a header frameproviding structural support for the harvesting header, the header framecomprising a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical mainstructures connecting the top and bottom beams; a pivotable connectionbetween the feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures ofthe header frame enabling the header frame to pivot with respect to thefeederhouse interface; at least one hydraulic ram connected between thefeederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvestingheader on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitch angle; a hydraulicsupply providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the at least onehydraulic ram; and a front ground sensor positioned near a leadingportion of the header frame and a rear ground sensor positioned near therear of the header frame, wherein said front and rear ground sensorsprovide an output that is used to control the hydraulic supply to selectthe pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the at least onehydraulic ram to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvestingheader relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative thefeederhouse interface.
 2. The header and feederhouse of claim 1 whereinthe feederhouse interface comprises mounting flanges on its outer sides,wherein each mounting flange fits inside and adjacent to one of thevertical main structures of the header frame.
 3. The header andfeederhouse of claim 2 wherein the feederhouse interface comprises aninterface plate positioned adjacent the header frame, wherein saidmounting flanges extend rearwardly from said interface plate.
 4. Theheader and feederhouse of claim 3 wherein each pivotable connectioncomprises a pivot pin disposed in a first cylindrical bore passingthrough the respective mounting flange and a second cylindrical borepassing through the respective vertical main section.
 5. The header andfeederhouse of claim 4 wherein the pivotable connection furthercomprises a bracket fixedly disposed on the vertical main section usedto fix the pivot pin to the vertical main section and the pivot pin isfree to rotate with respect to the mounting flange to enable pivotablemovement of the header frame on the feederhouse interface.
 6. The headerand feederhouse of claim 1 further comprising an accumulator fluidicallycoupled between the hydraulic supply and the at least one hydraulic ram;and
 7. The header and feederhouse of claim 1 further comprising atoolbar having a plurality of row units mounted on the header frame,wherein one end of the hydraulic ram is connected to a feederhousebracket mounted on a lower section of the feederhouse interface and theopposing end of the hydraulic ram is attached to a header bracketmounted on the toolbar.
 8. The header and feederhouse of claim 1 whereinthe at least one hydraulic ram is a hydraulically operated one-way ram.9. The header and feederhouse of claim 1 wherein the top beam extendsacross substantially a full width of the harvesting header and has endsarranged adjacent respective ends of the harvesting header and amidpoint in a center area of the harvesting header and the bottom beamis substantially parallel to the top beam and extends less than the fullwidth of the harvesting header and has a midpoint in the center area ofthe harvesting header.
 10. The header and feederhouse of claim 9 furthercomprising first and second diagonal trusses, wherein outer ends of saidfirst and second diagonal trusses being connected to respective ends ofthe top beam.